The 2026 Green Games Jam Awards, an event organized by the environmental initiative Playing for the Planet, took place last week at London’s iconic BFI Southbank. The ceremony celebrated game developers who have made notable strides in sustainable development practices and in weaving ecological narratives into their titles. Over the course of the evening, eleven distinct honors were handed out, and two studios—Northern Forge Studios and Runaway Play—each walked away with a pair of awards, underscoring their leadership in the green gaming movement. Northern Forge Studios was recognized with the Best Small Studio award, a distinction that highlights the studio’s ability to deliver high‑quality experiences while operating on a modest scale.
In addition, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) selected the studio’s title Orna: The GPS RPG as its Choice award winner. Orna blends location‑based gameplay with role‑playing elements, encouraging players to explore real‑world environments while learning about biodiversity and conservation.
The UNEP accolade reflects the game’s success in turning a smartphone adventure into an educational tool that promotes environmental stewardship. Runaway Play also shone brightly, taking home the Best Storytelling award for its beautifully crafted Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary. That game uses delicate, hand‑drawn visuals and a gentle narrative to guide players through the life cycle of butterflies, emphasizing the fragility of pollinator habitats.
Runaway Play’s second honor came from Google, which named the studio’s Splash – Fish Aquarium as Google’s Choice. Splash offers an immersive aquarium simulation that showcases marine ecosystems and subtly educates users about ocean health, aligning perfectly with Google’s sustainability objectives. Beyond the studio awards, several individual and corporate recognitions were presented. CD Projekt Red earned the prestigious Changemaker award, acknowledging the Polish developer’s commitment to integrating climate‑positive initiatives into its production pipelines and community outreach.
Meanwhile, Maria Sayans, the chief executive of Ustwo Games, received the Champion accolade for her personal advocacy and leadership in championing green practices across the industry. Rovio Entertainment was celebrated for its fundraising achievements, taking home the Best Fundraising award for the continued success of Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds Dream Blast. Those titles have generated significant charitable contributions, supporting various environmental causes and demonstrating how popular franchises can be leveraged for good. Lisa Pak, head of operations for Playing for the Planet, addressed the audience with optimism: “Each year the Green Game Jam proves that interactive media can bring vital environmental stories to life, inspiring players to act as caretakers of our planet.” She went on to note the enthusiastic reception to this year’s reef and rainforest themed content, and hinted at the next chapter: “We’re excited to keep the dialogue about resilience going with millions of gamers worldwide during the 8th edition of the Green Game Jam in 2027.” The awards ceremony capped off the Green Games Summit, a multi‑day gathering that featured panels and talks from industry heavyweights such as Hasbro, Supercell, Ustwo Games, Playstack and many others.
The summit provided a platform for developers, publishers, and sustainability experts to exchange ideas on reducing carbon footprints, implementing circular design principles, and crafting stories that motivate ecological action. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the nominees and winners announced during the ceremony: - **Cards, the Universe and Everything** (Avid Games) – Nominee - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – Nominee - **Seekers Notes** (Mytona) – **Winner** - **Cards, the Universe and Everything** (Avid Games) – Nominee - **Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary** (Runaway Play) – Nominee - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – **Winner** - **Hope's Adventure** (Green Leap Games) – **Winner** - **Sunshine Island** (New Moon Studios) – Nominee - **Splash – Fish Aquarium** (Runaway Play) – Nominee - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – **Winner** - **Call of Dragons** (Lilith Games) – Nominee - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – Nominee - **Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary** (Runaway Play) – **Winner** - **Hope's Adventure** (Green Leap Games) – Nominee - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – Nominee - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – Nominee - **Canasta Fun & Friends, Rummy Fun, Skat Treff & Tarot Classique** (GameDuell) – Nominee - **Angry Birds Friends & Angry Birds Dream Blast** (Rovio Entertainment) – **Winner** - **Jonas Goodwin** (Runaway Play) – Nominee - **Sophie Barteau** (Ubisoft Montreal) – Nominee - **María Sayans** (Ustwo Games) – **Winner** - **CD Projekt Red** – **Winner** - **Massive Entertainment** – Nominee - **Megapop** – Nominee - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – Nominee - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – Nominee - **Splash – Fish Aquarium** (Runaway Play) – **Winner** - **Match Masters** (Candivore) – Nominee - **Hay Day** (Supercell) – **Winner** - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – Nominee - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – **Winner** - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – Nominee - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – Nominee The event not only highlighted the creative achievements of these developers but also reinforced the growing belief that the gaming sector can serve as a powerful catalyst for environmental awareness and action.
By rewarding titles that integrate sustainability into both mechanics and narrative, the Green Games Jam Awards are helping to set new industry standards and inspire future projects that prioritize the health of our planet.